Wednesday 20 December 2017

What to wear for the party season

What to wear for the party season


There’s something about the Christmas and New Years party season that I absolutely love. Apart from the glamorous parties, food, drink and festivities, I love dressing up for the party season and shopping for new outfits. I believe it's a time of year to make the most of dressing up in your finest outfits.

What to wear for the party season


This year, one of my favourite outfits has been this gorgeous blue Whistles dress. It's so elegant and has a distinctive Self Portrait vibe, which is what attracted me to it. I also like that it's different to wearing festive colours such as red and green. Instead, the deep blue colour is perfect for evening events and the lace detail is so intricate and sophisticated.

What to wear for the party season


Things to consider when choosing your Christmas or New Years Eve outfits include most importantly, being comfortable. Make sure you're completely happy with the fit and style of your outfit. I used to worry about my party dresses feeling too tight after eating a big meal! But when carefully chosen, dresses can look flattering for both the dancing and the eating at a party :)

What to wear for the party season


If you know me well, follow me on Instagram or read my blog regularly, you'll know that my style is very much classic and timeless. So this Whistles dress must come as no surprise, as it's very me! I always say to people that you should always stick to your signature look or style, as that's what will make you feel and look amazing.

What to wear for the party season


Finishing touches include make up and jewellery. For this party look, I opted for a classic red lipstick and pearl earrings. My gold clutch bag is my absolute favourite for parties, especially when you don't need a large bag getting in the way of dancing!

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Monday 20 November 2017

How to shop for transitional pieces

How to shop for transitional pieces


The days are short again and the temperature has certainly dropped here in London. Luckily, there's still plenty of fun to be had when it comes to fashion and styling in the winter months. Although I still like to wear my floral prints in the autumn and winter, styled with layers, jackets and tights, the clothes I start to buy in the autumn are much more seasonal. Read on for my top tips for shopping for transitional clothing.

How to shop for transitional pieces


Sticking to your style


As you may already know, I am much more of a summer fashion girl, so I love my floral prints and that doesn't stop in the winter. I recently received a Gucci floral print bag as a birthday present (blog post coming soon) and I've been wearing it with pretty much everything! Similarly, this red dress from Boohoo is feminine and floral but the sleeves mean that I can still wear it this time of year. It's important to stick to your own style, and if chunky layers aren't for you then don't invest in them.

How to shop for transitional pieces


Add to your current wardrobe


If you love a certain summer dress, why not keep wearing it in the winter but paired with clear tights and a nice jacket? Rather than splashing out on new winter clothes, I definitely believe in getting the most out of your clothes, so I love to add to my wardrobe and buy pieces such as jumpers and jackets that I can pair with my summer clothes.

How to shop for transitional pieces


Colours and fabrics


I still like to keep my wardrobe bright in the winter months, so you'll still see me in red dresses and pink coats. So stick to what you like and just introduce pieces that will help your wardrobe transition. This could include cardigans, boots and even gloves.

How to shop for transitional pieces


How do you shop for transitional pieces? Or do you add to your existing wardrobe like me?

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Sunday 29 October 2017

Shopping for nightwear this winter

Shopping for nightwear this winter


After two glorious weeks spent in hot and sunny Thailand and Singapore, I've returned to autumn/winter in the UK. This time of year means getting cosy in the evenings, hot baths and layering up. Winter is officially on it's way and there's nothing more cosy than starting to shop for nightwear. I've collaborated* with Hunkemoller to give you some inspiration on cosy and comfortable nightwear options, as well as review this gorgeous Satin Dot Pyjama Set which has been kindly gifted to me. This pyjama set is a great example of loungewear that is perfect for the colder months.

Shopping for nightwear this winter

Style and fit


When shopping for any kind of clothing, I always say it's so important to ensure your comfort comes first. This is even more so for nightwear, as you need to be relaxed and comfy to sleep. This pyjama set has a lovely loose fit which is great for relaxing and sleeping. There's nothing worse than tight fitted clothing at bedtime, so I always recommend ensuring that the fit is loose.

Shopping for nightwear this winter

Fabrics


I recommend the softer the better in terms of fabrics, so cotton and silk are always good options for nightwear. The Hunkemoller pyjama set is satin which is very soft and has a touch of luxury to it.

Shopping for nightwear this winter

Keeping warm


This is a top priority during the British winter, and a pyjama set such as the one I'm wearing here is ideal for keeping warm due to the long sleeves and long trousers.

Shopping for nightwear this winter

Stay fashionably warm


Finally, staying stylish and warm at the same time is something I always talk about in the colder months. If you can get both, it's a win win! Small details make a lot of difference, such as the polka dot pattern on my pyjama set. It adds a touch of elegance and character to the outfit.

What do you like most about shopping for nightwear in the winter? 

*Thank you to Hunkemoller who kindly gifted me this pyjama set. As always, all views are honest and my own.

Friday 6 October 2017

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag


If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I love to invest in classic and timeless fashion. This is even more so if the item I'm investing in is luxury/designer. A few months ago I won a blogger competition with Farfetch* where I was kindly gifted a voucher to use on their website. I decided to purchase the classic Givenchy Antigona handbag as I have wanted it for so long. It's such a gorgeous handbag and I love the size, as I can fit everything I need for the daytime and night. I wanted to write this blog post about investing in designer handbags, as I thought it could help a lot of people out when making your purchase decisions.

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag


The size


Believe it or not, but this is actually the 'small' Antigona tote bag. I did my research before this purchase and the small version is definitely big enough. It also comes with a handy shoulder strap and the bag is really sturdy and holds it's shape well.

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag


Colour


I love this Burgundy colour as it goes with so much in my wardrobe and is actually really perfect for Autumn! However I have also been wearing this bag all summer, so for me it's a bag for all seasons and I will just style it differently.

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag


How to style it


In this look I decided to style the Givenchy Antigona with my Zara striped dress. I like how the colours of the stripes and the bag compliment each other. Plus, this is a very classic day time look which could also work for the office. My accessories included my Hugo Boss watch and Valentino sunglasses.

Investing in the Givenchy Antigona handbag


Photography by Kirstie Melville.


*Thank you to Farfetch for gifting me a voucher which I used towards purchasing the Givenchy Antigona handbag. All views are honest and my own, as always.


Tuesday 3 October 2017

London Fashion Week - Nina Naustdal SS18 show



The third and final show I was lucky enough to attend this London Fashion was the Nina Naustdal show at the Playboy Club in Mayfair. I went along with my friends Jo and Chalky, who very kindly managed to get me onto the guest list!

Nina Naustdal is an award winning designer and all of her pieces are handmade in her London based atelier to ensure the highest quality. I was also lucky enough to meet Nina in person before the fashion show started.



The couture and ready to wear collections that were showcased on the night were very up my street. There was a mixture of colourful and elegant evening wear, with inspiration taken from the Far East. The couture and black collection is inspired by the dark sensuality of the Victorian period. For example, frills are paired with plunging necklines creating an interesting contrast. I particularly enjoyed the ready to wear collection, as the dresses were designed so intricately.



For this very glamorous evening I decided to wear my Zara dress with the jewel detail, Valentino Rockstud heels and a Chanel handbag.




























































































Photography by Chalky White

Saturday 30 September 2017

London Fashion Week - House of Mea SS18 show



The second show I attended at London Fashion Week this year was the House of Mea show. Showcasing talent from across the Middle East and Asia, the show focused on textures, textiles and tradition.



The outfits were beautifully designed with stunning textures and colours. I was so impressed with the diverse colour range, which again showed the rich heritage in fashion.

The collection was full of pieces using pure silks, georgettes, leather, Indian embroideries and three dimensional texturizing. Fabric manipulation techniques such as heat pressing, perma pleating, distressing and draping are used to create structured to flowy and exaggerated silouettes.



The show took place in the stunning Freemason's Hall in London and I had a great view of all the pieces as I was sat in the middle of the catwalk. I attended this show shortly after the Steventai show, so my outfit details are the same: Jesire trench coat, lace New Look dress and Chanel handbag.








Model images provided by House of Mea.

Wednesday 20 September 2017

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18 show

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


London Fashion Week is now officially over and this year I was lucky enough to have been invited to three shows! The first show I attended was the Steventai SS18 collection held at 180 The Strand, which was so beautiful. The vibrant and bright colours of the pieces were stunning and the intricate details gave me a real insight into what will be trending next year.

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


Steventai's new collection was inspired by a sandy summer beach, and this could be seen in the show as the models were standing on sand or sitting in a pool full of foam. The pieces had all of the colours of summer in primary hues. I was most impressed by the lace details and also the stripes. My favourite pieces were ones with the frill sleeves, as these look so flattering and will be perfect to wear in the summer.

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


I also really liked the fact that the show was much more interactive and you could walk up to the models to see their outfits up close. The models also interacted with the audience by pretending to take photos on their polaroid cameras, which again was a nice touch.

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


Thank you so much to the team at Steventai for inviting me to the show! I'm looking forward to seeing what next season's collection is like!

London Fashion Week - Steventai SS18


Saturday 26 August 2017

How to become confident when flying long-haul alone



It’s good to often reflect on how much you change and develop as a person. Ten years ago I would never have even dreamed of travelling or flying alone to another country. Ask me now to meet you on the other side of the world, and I’m there in a second! As I’m very fortunate to be able to travel the world often, a lot of people ask me how I manage to take so many flights alone. I have friends and family in various countries around the world, so I like to go and visit as much as possible. Over the years, I’ve mastered a few ways to help me stay calm and confident when travelling and taking long-haul flights alone.


Prepare for your flight


Try to think of everything you’ll need whilst in the air. I used to take sickness tablets to make me feel better before a long haul flight, but luckily now I seem to have gone past that stage. When I was nine years old my first long haul flight was to India and I had air sickness pretty much the whole way. It was awful and I was worried that it would put me off travelling when I was older. I'm so glad that it didn't. Basically anything that makes you take your mind off things is great, such as headphones to listen to your favourite music and even skincare products to use whilst on the flight. The more prepared you are, the less anxious you will be.


Speak to people around you


You’ll generally find that people are really friendly and when I’ve travelled alone, I always find people to talk to. Once I was on a flight back home from Thailand and I met a lovely Australian couple who were travelling to London. They were so friendly and it was really interesting to hear some of their travel stories. Saying hello to the person next to you on the flight could really make your journey a lot more fun.


Look after yourself


This one may seem obvious, but so many people forget it. Move around the plane as much as possible (when the seat belt signs are off) to stretch your legs. I’ve mentioned before taking some skincare bits with you so that you can do a mini skincare routine on the flight. This is where those travel size bottles come in useful! Also, drink plenty of water as it’s so easy to get dehydrated on planes. With long haul flights, there are usually two or three meals so I always ask for water with all of my meals.


Use the time wisely


A 12 hour flight on your own can feel really long. However, I always try to use my time effectively. After watching a couple of films and having a quick snooze, I use the time to reflect on things, write down lists of what I want to do and future goals, and plans for my future. I love taking my notebook and pen with me when I travel, as I find that I’m always thinking about things that I want to jot down and getting inspired by the different places.

Taking the plunge and booking my first long haul flight alone all those years ago was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done. It made me more confident and made me want to travel more. My first flight completely alone was a 12 hour flight to Thailand where I went to stay with friends. Since then, I’ve flown to multiple countries alone, both for work and for leisure including Dubai, Norway, Belgium, Scotland and Germany. It’s great to travel with people, but if you ever need to travel alone then I urge you to do it, as I’ve never looked back. I’m really excited for more of my trips abroad in 2018, some of which I will be flying alone again.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” - Neale Donald Walsch.



I hope this blog post inspires some of you, and I would love to know any travel plans you have coming up?

This gorgeous blue lace bardot dress is from Boohoo and you can shop it here.

Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Wednesday 16 August 2017

What to wear for a summer wedding

What to wear for a summer wedding


Wedding season is in full swing so I wanted to share my thoughts on dressing as a wedding guest during the summer. Pastel colours and frills are my favourite for summer, as they go so well together and are perfect for day to night looks. If you have time to change that's great, but I personally prefer to wear the same outfit throughout the day.

What to wear for a summer wedding


The dress


Obviously the most important aspect of your outfit is picking the dress or outfit. I personally prefer to wear dresses, but there’s plenty of other outfit ideas, including skirts, trousers and two piece outfits. This floral ruffle dress from Y.A.S at ASOS is so feminine with the pretty frills and pastel colours. The details such as the back of the dress make it extra special and also a little bit different.

What to wear for a summer wedding


Colours


I’ve already mentioned this point, but choosing the right colours can really make all the difference to your whole look. For a summer wedding, I would recommend soft pastels and light colours as they look great both in the day and night. This gorgeous dress has a flowery pattern on which again adds to the style.

What to wear for a summer wedding


Accessories


A clutch bag always looks great with wedding guest outfits, as you don't want to be carrying around too much for the day. This trusty gold clutch bag is my go to handbag for special occasions. As there was so much detail on this dress already, I decided to wear some simple pearl earrings. The shoes are from Pull & Bear and have a definite Chanel vibe!

What to wear for a summer wedding


Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Sunday 13 August 2017

The top five things to do in Venice

The top five things to do in Venice


If you follow me on Instagram (@radhikarecommends) you'll know that I recently went to Venice for a city break with one of my university friends. It was lovely and hot in June and I wanted to share my top travel tips and the best things to see in Venice if you have a short amount of time. I was there for four days, which in my opinion, is plenty of time to see the best sights and also have time to relax and take it all in.

Piazza San Marco 


We were lucky enough to find a hotel that was literally a few metres away from the main Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square). It's very crowded in the day, but I would recommend getting there early to take photos. The stunning architecture of the Bascilica San Marco and Doge's Palace can be admired from the Square, as well as the Campanile Tower.

The top five things to do in Venice


Campanile Tower


If you want fantastic views over the whole of Venice, I would recommend going up to the top of the tower in Piazza San Marco. Although it's very windy when you get up there, you can't beat the views over the city of Venice.

The top five things to do in Venice


Burano 


A lot of people don't get to see the hidden gems near Venice, but Burano island is a beautiful island full of buildings in pastel and bright colours. It's lovely to walk around for the morning before it gets too hot. There's also some great lace shops and restaurants to stop off at for lunch.

The top five things to do in Venice


Doge's Palace 


This museum was actually the first attraction we went inside and it was one of the best. The art on the ceilings was breathtaking and the history behind the Palace is fascinating. I would highly recommend visiting.

The top five things to do in Venice


Gondola ride


I know some may find it cliche but the gondola ride I went on was so good! It's a great way of seeing Venice and all of the canals and you get some great photos. It can be very expensive but highly worth it.

The top five things to do in Venice


Have you ever been to Venice? What did you enjoy the most?